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To be honest, if you’re of a certain age Amnesty International is an organisation associated with distant memories of various Python and post Python comics and a Secret Policeman’s Ball and a mighty fine logo. This is until I’ve been listening to the World Service who are highlighting some of the cases that they’ve dealt with over the past 50 years. This particular release with Jus’ Like Music is aimed at raising awareness for the “Stop Violence Against Women” campaign which is worthy enough in itself.

With the political bit out of the way, how cool then to have two old favourites on the album in Ursula ‘Supa Sista’ Rucker and Heidi Vogel, a fairly new favourites in Wah Wah 45’s Stac, Yarah Bravo, Ahu and a load of other artists that we’ve not heard of before?

I had a sneak preview of this and to say Kersha Bailey is my new favourite lady is an exaggeration but not by much as ‘Promises’ is seaside treat and prepare yourself for the Sikie’s “Don’t Wait Up” remix of ‘Good Time’.

Not only that, there’s the enlightened mind of Sarina Leah (why isn’t she signed up to Futuristica Music?) who’s got cosmic consciousness and big synths on a spiritual sunrise! Big!

Ursula Rucker was always ‘out there’ and ‘She Said’ is not her old Studio K7 sound, if anything, a tad 80’s indie rock - oh! I don’t suppose it’d be hip to say this is the future but she’s a star and if Ursula is saying it, it’s hot (out on Noizeboy Records).

Last year at the Big Chill (which was all about the Big Sunday which Stac was such a major part, see HERE), I think I said to Dom Servini (head honcho of Wah Wah 45’s) that Stac’s album is so good and pure, that it doesn’t lend itself to remixes. Well hasn’t he proved me wrong as there’s not only was there the remix album, Volume 2 has recently been released!

No idea who LenAfroSaxon is but he’s put a catchy bassy bounce into ‘More’ and it’s as good one to slip into any summery set; Stac would light up any summer party.

The tracks have been compiled by Belle who includes her own track ‘Open My Eyes’ and along with Sabrina Jade’s ‘Sometimes’, there’s a couple of bass heavy space beats and it’s a shame both are not longer.

The quirky is supplied by Tanya Auclair and the sublime acoustic bossa nova comes via the Ms. Vogel. How many highlights do you need?

I’m a big fan of Empress Dowager Cixi(well fan might not be the right word) but on the musical front, here’s Naomi The Empress with some dubbed out reggae on ‘I Want You’ (good warm up for Hollie Cook?)

And what’s this Elodie Rama ‘Don’t Explain’ some post midnight jazz tinkering bop?

If you’re sick of the usual pop/RnB ladies with the endless video predictability, this is something for you, it’s a bit like a female Burnt Progress which is about as good as it gets - very recommended..

Reviewed: V/A - Untold Songs: Volume 1 (Curated by Belle) (Jus Like Music) Cat. No. JLM001 Release date: 13th June 2011 (download)
Tracklisting:
1. Paula Varjack and Cloudfist Conceptz - Between The Lines feat. Jonas McCloud (2:12)
2. Stac - More (LenAfroSaxon Remix) (5:22)
3. Ahu - Contact (2:33)
4. Sarina Leah - Enlightened Minds (5:26)
5. Vula - Turn The Clock Back (3:56)
6. Shuanise - Africa (2:33)
7. Belle - Open My Eyes (2:49)
8. Naomi The Empress - I Want You (4:48)
9. Fae Simon - Royal Flush feat. Jonas McCloud (4:24)
10. Yarah Bravo - Freedom Fighters (6:12)
11. Eva Lazarus - Spotlight (3:35)
12. Tanya Auclair - Tight Little Fingers (2:59)
13. Kadija Kamara - Talking 2 Myself (3:37)
14. Ursula Rucker - She Said (3:52)
15. Zayna Daze - Golden Girl (4:39)
16. Baby Sol - No No (3:49)
17. Ruby Wood - Colours (5:06)
18. Sabira Jade - Sometimes (4:03)
19. Madame Pepper - Around (3:29)
20. Heidi Vogel - Joy You Give (2:27)
21. Kersha Bailey - Promises (5:06)
22. Elodie Rama - Don’t Explain (4:24)
23. Belinda K. Zhawi - Hama (2:31)

Links:
www.musicbystac.com
www.juslikemusicrecordssss.bandcamp.com
www.amnesty.orghttp://blogs.amnesty.org.uk Stories of four refugees on BBC World Service
Witness: Amnesty at 50 - It is half a century since the launch of the human rights group Amnesty International. Over the years it has highlighted thousands of cases where people have been imprisoned without trial. Last broadcast on Mon, 30 May 2011, 00:50 on BBC World Service http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00grpn2